FOUNDATION FRAMEWORK
In this piece , Andy Berry , CEO of VertiGIS , examines the pressing need to modernise the UK ’ s energy infrastructure amid rising costs and years of underinvestment . He highlights the role of advanced Geographic Information Systems ( GIS ) in upgrading outdated grids , supporting green energy goals and ensuring future resilience . Berry also discusses how the new Great British Energy initiative could help address these challenges .
BUILDING A RESILIENT UK ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE WITH GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The last few years have been challenging for energy providers . Geopolitical tension has led to rising energy costs at the source , and decades of underinvestment have led to ageing and vulnerable infrastructure . This impacts both energy companies through the cost needed for constant repairs , and consumers through increasing bills and interrupted service . Energy bills have been one of the focus points in discussions around the cost-of-living crisis , with most people affected by rising energy prices .
It ’ s not surprising that the new government is tackling this issue as a priority . As Energy Secretary Ed Miliband discusses in an article with The Guardian , the main piece of legislation is a plan for a new , national energy company , Great British Energy .
Problems of privatisation
There are many reasons why this move should be applauded . Decades of privatisation have taken their toll on the UK ’ s energy infrastructure . The privatisation of energy companies does little to incentivise investment in updating the actual infrastructure , until it ceases to work completely . This is usually too late for customers who then face a complete outage or a disrupted service in their homes .
This issue was perfectly encapsulated in the water utilities earlier this year when regulatory body Ofwat permitted water companies to increase customer bills by an average of 21 % over the next five years . The water companies advocated for the rise of prices to allow for greater investment
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